‘Women in Wellies to inspire rural careers

An event aimed at encouraging young women to consider pursuing careers in the rural sector is taking place in the Cairngorms National Park later this month.

Organised by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), ‘Women in Wellies’ aims to increase awareness among young women – or those considering a career change – of the wide range of jobs on offer in the land-based sector.

The event at Boat of Garten Community Hall on Tuesday 30 October will involve a range of presentations from women who are already making a living working in forestry, farming, gamekeeping, recreation, conservation and academia. This will be followed by an opportunity to learn more from other women with ‘A Day in the Life’ work stations encompassing a wide-range of rural pursuits.

Official statistics for Scotland indicate that the rural workforce is predominantly male, around 74 per cent and across Scotland there is a deficit of young people entering land based careers.

Anna Fleming, the CNPA’s Education & Inclusion Officer explained: “Whether its farming and crofting, gamekeeping, forestry, conservation or recreation – and everything in between – we are keen to see more young women consider a rural career. The land based sector is very important to the economy of the Cairngorms National Park and with fewer young people pursuing jobs in this industry we think that by inspiring women we might be able to reverse that trend. We really hope that the ‘Women in Wellies’ event may give some young women the confidence and encouragement to think about a rural career.”

Jo O’Hara from Forestry Commission Scotland is speaking at ‘Women in Wellies’, she said: ““With so many interesting, vital and rewarding opportunities in the rural sector, I’m constantly surprised at the low numbers of women who make their careers in land-based businesses. I’ve spent almost my entire career in work that has been associated with land management, and I want other women to see just how rewarding and diverse rural job opportunities can be. That is why I am so pleased to speaking at the Women in Wellies event – it’s a great idea to showcase and bring to life the reality of land-based careers, and to encourage more women to seriously consider what these exciting sectors have to offer.”

The CNPA has invited young women from Grantown Grammar and Kingussie, Aboyne, Alford and Speyside High schools to the event as well as targeting colleges and universities. However the event is open to anyone with an interest in finding out more about a land based career. To book a place, click here or for more information please contact Anna Fleming on tel: 01479 870572 / email: [email protected]